PHS XC competes at Wellington

Tuesday

Sep 17, 2013 at 8:35 AM

The Pratt High School crosscountry team found the competition to be a little tougher at Wellington Saturday than what they had faced the previous week at Hoisington where they swept both divisions.Nonetheless, the Frog harriers fared well in the 15-school event, the girls taking fourth as a team and the boys taking 6th.

The Pratt High School crosscountry team found the competition to be a little tougher at Wellington Saturday than what they had faced the previous week at Hoisington where they swept both divisions.Nonetheless, the Frog harriers fared well in the 15-school event, the girls taking fourth as a team and the boys taking 6th.For the girls, freshman Halle Helfrich continued a stellar freshman campaign, taking 2nd (16:10) in the large varsity race that featured over 75 runners. Adele Loomis was also in the medals, finishing 8th (17:23.) “Halle continues to improve and race with a maturity that is beyond her years,” PHS head coach Kathy Hitz commented. “Adele is figuring out how to race over distance and it is fun to watch her put it together.” PHS’ 3rd runner, Nichole Moreland was unable to finish, which meant the other runners had to pick up the slack, and that’s just what they did. “Cassidy Cronister had a terrific run on a course that in the past has wreaked havoc with her asthma,” Coach Hitz reported. “I was delighted to see her conquer this course as a senior.” Cronister was 25th (18:48).Morgan Strong took 34th (19:55) and Chloe Cannata was right behind her in 35th (19:58) to round out the Lady Frog scoring. “It was great to have Chloe put together a good race this week after a tough outing at Hoisington,” Hitz said. “I could see on her face that this week was going better.” Joseph Loomis was again the top finisher for the Pratt boys, medaling in 8th place (18:14). “Joseph competed well,” Hitz commented. “He ran almost the same time this week as last on a more difficult course. He is training very well and I think we will see that pay off big-time in October.”Zach Will was 25th (19:51); Josh Powell 31st (21:02) and Caleb Hitz 32nd (21:03). “Zach Will is competing very well, he has finally been able to put together a summer of great training after having had a foot injury and surgery,” Hitz remarked. “Caleb and Josh are holding steady and I feel both are on the threshold of a breakthrough.”Rounding out the Greenback finishers were Will Fellhoelter (21:55 38th) and Cooper Crump (22:40 43rd.) In other action, Brody Cronister ran 12:39, Jacob Berry 14:14 and Jacob Schaefer 15:48 in the 2-mile freshman race. Kara Nixon ran 15:57, Tori Hassler ran 15:59 and Paloma Diaz ran 16:24 in the 2-mile girls JV race. “This meet gives our freshman boys and novice runners a chance to race a 2 mile and I think it is a good confidence booster early in the season,” Hitz explained. “Our young girls also got a chance to race a 2 mile also which provides the same benefit.” “I felt as a whole the kids competed well at a much bigger meet than last week, Hitz summarized. “It is good for the kids to experience a larger start and just a bigger field of runners.”The Greenback harriers return to action at the Roadrunner Classic hosted by Chaparral on Thursday.